2009 Maloof Money Cup Opening Ceremony This Afternoon

The official opening ceremony and course christening--my, aren't we being Christian--for the 2009 Maloof Money Cup skateboarding competition begins at 3 p.m. at the Orange County Fairgrounds, 88 Fair Dr., Costa Mesa.

Created by Joe Maloof, who will attend the opening with his brother and Palms Hotel/Sacramento Kings ownership partner Gavin Maloof, this second annual event is considered the biggest money contest in the skateboarding as the sport's biggest pros chase after a half million dollar purse. Last year, Paul Rodriguez won the largest amount ever awarded for a skate contest, taking home $100,000 for the Pro Street crown, while Pierre-Luc Gagnon grabbed $75,000 in the Pro Vert finals. There are also women's and amateur divisions.

Rodriguez will be among the pros joining the Maloof brothers at the opening, as will Ryan Sheckler, PLG, Bob Burnquist, Sean Malto and Chaz Ortiz. Three days of skateboarding--and celebrity-attended after parties--follow today's festivities. Festival Village, which is adjacent to the course and vert ramp, is open to all OC Superfair visitors free of charge. The actual skate competitions begin Friday. The schedule follows . . . FRIDAY
2:30 p.m. Pro Vert Prelims
6:30 p.m. Pro Street Prelims

SATURDAY
12:30 p.m. US Women's Pro Street Championship Prelims
2:30 p.m. Pro Vert Semi Finals

SUNDAY
1:30 p.m. US Women's Pro Street Championship Finals
2:30 p.m. Pro Vert Finals
4:30 p.m. Pro Street Finals
6:30 p.m. Awards and Closing Ceremonies (with giant checks presented to winners by the Maloof brothers, celebrity guests and flowing Champagne).

Don't drink and skate!

If you can't make it out to some or all of the weekend runs, Fuel TV will be webcasting live in high definition. Webcasts run from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday and 1-7:15 p.m. Sunday.